Ginseng "hunters" have been picking the plant in Changbai Mountain, Jilin province, since the middle of the third century.

Over time, they have formed clans, and the job has become a respectable profession due to the risk involved - the mountain terrain is tough to navigate, while there is also the threat of an attack from a wild animal.

Although the ginseng industry remains strong, the traditional way of picking it is endangered, according to clan leaders.

Chen Yuanming, the leader of one clan, explains that there are many rules to hunting for ginseng, including that they must be in groups of odd numbers and set out only on an auspicious day.

Text and photos by Song Li / for China Daily

Chen Yuanming leads a team to search for ginseng on Changbai Mountain.

The team starts a fire to cook food and keep warm on the mountain.

The team digs for ginseng.

(China Daily European Weekly 09/16/2016 page4)